endocarditis /en′dōkärdī″tis/ [Gk, endon + kardia, heart, itis, inflammation] , an inflammation of the endocardium and heart valves. The condition is characterized by lesions caused by a variety of diseases. Kinds of endocarditis are bacterial endocarditis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, and Libman-Sacks endocarditis. All types of endocarditis are rapidly lethal if untreated, but most patients with endocarditis are successfully treated by various antibacterial and surgical measures. See also bacterial endocarditis, subacute bacterial endocarditis.
